Europe increases defense spending but lacks troops: study – DW – 11/08/2024
www.dw.com
A lack of personnel is undermining efforts to bolster European security, according to a study by a UK-based think tank. Europe's security is under added scrutiny in the wake of Donald Trump's US election victory.

Summary

A UK-based think tank warns that Europe’s increased defense spending and weapon production, spurred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, is undermined by a shortage of military personnel.

European NATO members now allocate over half of their defense budgets to European-made equipment, yet critical troop shortfalls persist due to decades of underinvestment.

Concerns are heightened with Donald Trump’s return to the White House, raising fears of reduced U.S. support for Ukraine.

European leaders, including France’s Emmanuel Macron, emphasize the need for Europe to become less reliant on U.S. security support.

  • qyron@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    4·
    6 days ago

    No mandatory service of any kind, full stop.

    If there is something that needs to be widely known by the population, you make it part of the daily life, introduce it at school curriculum, run low profile campaigns that steadily grow awareness and make access to developing such knowledge/skills easy to all.

    I can think of the example of learning how to use a defibrilator, which has become a standard for any person graduating highschool in my country. Stupidly enough, if I want to learn that exact same skill, today, I have to pay a hefty sum, in a country where lack of preparation to give immediate aid to someone in need has been identified as a serious problem.

    • barsoap@lemm.eeEnglish
      1·
      6 days ago

      I can think of the example of learning how to use a defibrilator, which has become a standard for any person graduating highschool in my country.

      You know what? I almost wanted to write “consider it a part of school” in my original comment. Probably should have.

      It also doesn’t have to be all at one time, back in my days I did about a weekend a month over three years. In one year I got all my necessary hours from a single two-week course camp: Because I wasn’t at home at all during the time those were 14x24 hours even though the course load was what six hours weekdays, the rest party. Meaning to say: Don’t picture military basic with a drill instructor. Noone has ever accused catastrophe defence to be disciplined unless sirens are blaring.

      Not to mention: In many places, particularly villages, it’s practically mandatory anyway: Everyone, at least if male, becomes a fire fighter. You don’t have to stay on for regular duty but you gotta learn the basic ropes so that if shit really hits the fan you know how to help. It’s actually more about re-kindling that kind of attitude in cityfolk.